A retired mechanic is suing several major manufacturing companies for allegedly causing him to develop asbestos lung cancer after being exposed to the fibrous material.

According to his asbestos lawsuit, he allegedly incurred  complications from asbestos in the lungs completing various tasks in his occupational duty.

Asbestos is a fibrous material popularly used for industrial purposes like construction and insulation for its chemical and fire resistant qualities. Before it was discovered in the 1980s that the material was related to numerous serious health problems, asbestos was used by most manufacturing companies.

Its popularity peak was reached in World War II, when the United States Navy had used asbestos for a number of their ships. However, a number of veterans and retired mechanics or other laborers have been reporting asbestos lung cancer and other complications from asbestos exposure.

Plaintiff Robert B. has filed his asbestos lung cancer lawsuit on March 21, 2016 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against several major defendants including American Optical Corporation, Buffalo Air Handling, Hercules Inc., Warren Pumps LLC, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co, and many others.

Robert alleges he experienced asbestos exposure during his job, and that the companies knew of the risks but did nothing to warn him against asbestos exposure.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure Allegations

Robert claims that many times during his line of work he had inhaled large amounts of asbestos in the lungs, or had ingested the fibers unintentionally from certain products. Each of the products in question were manufactured, sold, distributed, or installed by each of the defendants named in the asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.

Robert is alleging a conspiracy count in his suit regarding Metropolitan Life Insurance, claiming that the company knew the risks of asbestos exposure for decades. This particular defendant has also been accused of interfering with researching this topic, according to the asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.

Roberts states that he developed asbestos lung cancer on Sept. 25, 2015, which is a disease specifically caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos lung cancer is characterized by asbestos in the lungs wreaking havoc in the patient’s lungs, causing scar tissue and tearing.

Not to be confused with mesothelioma, another cancer caused by asbestos attacking the tissue lining of the lungs, asbestos lung cancer can devastate the organ and leave the patient with little treatment options. Oftentimes patients do not know they have asbestos lung cancer because it takes decades to show any symptoms of the disease.

When inhaled from asbestos exposure, the fibers can stay in the lungs for up to 30 years before festering. Once this happens patients often experience painful hacking and coughing, leading them to a latent diagnosis from their doctors.

Oftentimes the prognosis is very poor with few viable treatment options, and short survival rates after diagnosis. Robert is suing the companies for negligence and conspiracy, and is seeking compensatory and punitive damages over $50,000.

The Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit Robert B. v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. et al., Case No. 16-L-152, in the St. Clair County Circuit Court.